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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED ON THE 



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OF THE 



UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI 



ON 



Wednesday, June 25 th, 1873, 
BY JOHN N. WADDEL, D. D., LL. D., 

Chancellor of the University. 

PROPERTY Of 
THE LIORAKV 0^ CONGRf ^'^ 



Published by REquEST of the Board of Trustees. 



OXFORD, MISS. 

1873- 



»15 



University of Mississippi, 
Oxford, 1873. 

Wednesday, June 25th, being the Twenty -Fifth 
Anniversary of the organization of this Institution, a 
Historical Discourse was deHvered by invitation of the 
iSoard of Trustees, b}^ the Chancellor, Rev. John N. 
Waddel, D. D.; after which the Board unanimously 
adopted the following Resolutions: 

Resolved^ That Chancellor Wabdel is entitled to the thanks of every 
friend of the University for the splendid Oration delivered bj him on 
yesterday. That his able and conclusive vindication of the University 
ao'ainst the assaults of all its enemies, inspires the Board of Trustees 
with renewed hope of making this noble Institution the pride and glory 
of Mississippians and their posterity forever. 

Resolved, That the Chancellor be respectfully requested to place his 
Oration at our disposal for publication, and that Five Hundred Copies of 
the same be printed. 

Resolved, That there being now material enough for one volume of 
the History of the University, our beloved Chancellor be earnestlj- re- 
quested to prepare the same for publication at as early a day as he 
conveniently can. 




PRESS OF THE HOLLY SPRINGS REPORTER. 



^ 

^ 



DISCOURSE 



I. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 

The spot where we now stand, though not "holy ground," is 
certainly invested with no ordinary interest to every Mississippian. 
Three hundred and thirty-three years since, when the territory of 
the State was the property of the wild savage, and the unbroken 
forest stood in its primeval grandeur, untrodden by any other than 
the Red Man's foot, save that of the untamed beast, his scarcely less 
civilized companion, the first European adventurer that ever appeared 
upon our soil presented himself to the astonished natives. This was 
the celebrated Hernando de Soto, the renowned Spanish explorer, 
who, having served with distinction uHder Pizarro in his Peruvian 
Conquest, himself conducted an expedition from Spain in 1539 
for the conquest of Florida. Beginning his march from the Bay of 
Espiritu Santo, better known as Tampa Bay, towards the close of 
1540 he found himself in the country of the Chickasaw Indians, in 
the north-east part of this State. Our interest in this great adventu- 
rer is much enhanced by the statement of a contemporaneous writer, 
that DeSoto's winter-quarters must be located near the north-eastern 
portion of Pontotoc County ; a conjecture arising no doubt from the 
fact, that in this locality "-remains of ancient fortifications are still to 

be seen, and relics of European origin have also been 

found." After his first appearance in this region, DeSoto's career 
was brief. Our object in referring to his sojourn at all is to suggest 
that, as there is a high probability of his having "traversed the 
country comprising the county bearing his name — DeSoto — and as 



Historical Discourse 



he is stated to have crossed the Mississippi at or near the " Chicka- 
saw Bluffs," it is not at all improbable that he may have passed over 
the very spot on which we are this day assembled to recognize with 
honor the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of a School of the Higher 
Learning : a spot then held by savage and inhospitable tribes of 
Indians. 

It constitutes no part of my purpose to-day, to detail the history 
of the oft-repeated and ever-abortive attempts of DeSoto's successors, 
LaSalle, Bienville, and Iberville, to subdue this new world of the 
South-west. I shall content myself with a mere reference to the 
prominent eras of our history. 

For one hundred and thirty-eight years after the failure of 
DeSoto and his followers, in their proposed conquest of the country, 
no bold adventurer or explorer appeared to disturb the native tribes 
in their quiet possession of the countiy. Then came LaSalle, and 
the Chevalier de Tonti, whose repeated attempts to establish a colony 
resulted only in disastrous failure. After another interval of eighteen 
years, in 1699, Iberville, under the patronage of the French, effected 
a settlement near Biloxi, followed by no successful prosecution of 
the enterprise. After the lapse of some years, he selected as a site 
for a town, a point on the Mississippi river immediately below and 
in the suburbs of the present city of Natchez, built a fort and called 
it Rosalie. 

The history of the early settle^ments upon the soil of Mississippi, 
is marked by the usual vicissitudes common to all attempts to colo- 
nize countries occupied by savage tribes. Under three different 
foreign Governments, attempts of this kind were made, until finally 
the permanent occupancy and possession of the country became 
indisputably assured to the Government of the United States. Thus, 
through a period of sixty-four years, Finance was engaged in an effort 
to govern the country and develope its resources by Agriculture and 
Commerce. Great Britain succeeded France, and held it as a 
province for thirteen years, when she was succeeded by Spain, who 
established a Provisional Government and kept possession of it for 
nineteen years. At that time, as though wearied with ineffectual 



University of Mississippi. 



struggles to establish such a foothold upon the soil as would con- 
tribute to the advantage of the mother countries, the European 
nations ceased all further enterprises of the kind, and on the 30th of 
March, 1 798, the forts at Natchez and Walnut Hills, (now Vicksburg) 
were evacuated by the Spanish troops, and the country was taken 
possession of by the United States authorities, under whose jurisdic- 
tion it has ever since remained. 

By Act of Congress, on the 7th of April, 1798, the Mississippi 
Territory was formally established. Its limits included all the region 
lying between the Mississippi river on the West and the Chatta- 
hoochee on the East, and it extended from the 31st to the 35th degree 
of North Latitude. This vast domain is now covered by the two 
great States, Alabama and Mississippi. The right and jurisdiction 
over it then vested in Georgia by virtue of her old Colonial Charter, 
granted by George II, King of Great Britain, on June 9th, 1733. 

On the 24th of April, 1803, articles of Cession and Agreement 
were entered into between Commissioners on the part of the United 
States and other Commissioners on the part of the State of Georgia, 
whereby the latter cedes to the United States all the right, title and 
claim held by her to the jurisdiction and soil within those limits. 
From this period to the year 181 7, the country remained in a Terri- 
torial condition. In that year, on March ist, an act was passed ena- 
bling the people of the Western part of this Territory " to form for 
themselves a Constitution and a State Government, and to be 
received into the Union on an equal footing with the original States." 
The limits prescribed to this new State then were neai'ly identical 
with the limits of the State as they are now recognized, and this left 
the remainder of her late extent in the form and by the title of " the 
Territory of Alabama." We thus arrive at the fact that more than 
half a century has elapsed since Mississippi became a regularly 
organized State. 

During this fifty-six years, events of vast moment have occurred' 
and the State has passed through scenes of alternate prosperity and 
adversity. With the political bearing of much of her history, we, 
on this occasion, have no concern, save that we may note the fact 



Historical Discourse 



that Mississippians have ever manifested a greater enthusiasm in 
poHtical contests than in all other matters, and*in that vast vortex 
every other interest has been absorbed. 

2. GENERAL EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 

Among the matters entitled to the earnest consideration of a 
young State, in her early history, that of the education of her people 
stands in the front rank of importance. Yet we are struck v^ith the 
fact, which is not more true of Mississippi than of other States, that 
very little is accomplished in this grand department of human 
progress, compared with what is done in those interests that are 
purely material. It may probably be attributable to the peculiar 
character of our American people, which is always energetic and 
enterprising in the direction of that which is pi-actically progressive, 
and which addresses itself to their more palpable interests. We are 
not a staid, — not strictly a conservative race. While Europeans look 
well to the foundations upon which they erect their national pros- 
perity, and will not move until every point in their future progress is 
outlined and thoroughly matured and fixed ; based upon solid and 
substantial supports ; the American rushes to conclusions, and grasps 
after results, little recking what is behind him, and as little caring for 
intervening opposition. The subduing of the forests, and reducing 
the soil to cultivation, so as to render the country habitable, and 
preparing the way for human civilization, are the objects first con- 
templated by the American settler of new regions. The pioneers of 
our own State formed no exception to the rule. Yet there remain 
on record abundant evidences of the fact, that, at a very early jDcriod 
after the country came into the possession of the United States, a 
disposition to encourage education was developed among the people 
of the Territory. 

In the year 1S02, Jefferson College, at Washington, near Natchez, 
was founded ; and in 1S03 an entire township of land was granted 
by Congress for its support. In 181 2, Congress passed an act for the 
location of those lands. In iSso, three years after the admission of 



University of Mississippi. 



the State into the Union, the Legislature of Mississippi granted to 
the College a loan of $4,000. For some reason not known, 
notwithstanding all that has been done for this Institution, it has 
been a failure, and has been of little, if of any, advantage to the 
cause of Education in this State. 

The record of Mississippi, however, is honorable, since in the 
early period of her organized existence, from 179S to 1S4S, there had 
been established one hundred and ten Institutions under the various 
names of Universities, Colleges, Academies and Schools, exclusive of 
Schools founded upon sixteenth sections of Public Lands ; proving that 
an entire obliviousness of the Educational wants of the people has not 
prevailed in our past History. Still our gratification in the statement 
of this fact is somewhat abated by the consideration that the organi- 
zation of these Institutions seems to have proven, in the majority of 
cases, inefficient, and the amount of really beneficial progress 
appears to have been very inconsiderable. 

These eftbrts, however, are certainly commendable ; they point in 
the right direction. If they did fail to achieve all that should have 
been achieved, it must be attributed to the state of the country. The 
pioneers of society must always secure, as a primary necessity, the 
means of living ; and besides, the new countries are generally 
crowded with adventurers, who come with golden visions of vast 
fortunes speedily to be amassed ; and thus that attention, which is 
indispensable to the success of Education, is directed to other objects 
not so worthy. 

3. INITIATORY STEPS IN FOUNDING A UNIVERSITY. 

By the liberality of the Congress of 1819, two years after Missis- 
sippi had been admitted into the Union, an entire township of the 
public domain within the State, — 23,040 acres — was granted to the 
State for the purpose of establishing a Seminary of Learning. The 
title to this land was, by act of Congress, vested in the State Legis- 
lature, in trusty for the support of the Institution. We learn, also. 



by further investigation, that the trust was accepted by the Legisla- 
ture, and that in pursuance of the spirit and intent of the Act, 
" lands of great value " were selected by the State, and, in due time, 
thirty-five and one-half of the thirty-six sections were sold. Notes 
were taken from the purchasers, with approved security, and deposi- 
ted in the Planters' Bank, for collection, in 1833. Several years 
thereafter, the first action was taken in the way of applying the fund 
which thus accrued to the purposes for which the grant had been 
intended. 

The Legislature had taken action to have Commissioners 
appointed who should visit various points in the State, and receive 
proposals inviting the location of the University in their midst. In 
1 841, after some struggle, Oxford, in LaFayette County, was selected 
by a majority of one vote, as the seat of the Institution. The 
citizens of Oxford and the county of LaFayette had purchased a 
section of land, and donated it to the authorities of the University, 
as a site whereon to build. 

In 1844 the Legislature chartered the Institution under the fol- 
lowing Board of Trustees : 

Hon. J. Alexander Ventress,*... . . . Woodville, deceased in 1868 

Hon. Jno. Anthony Quitman,* .. . .Natchez, resigned in 1848 

Hon. Wm. L. Sharkey,* Jackson, deceased in 1873 

Hon. Edwrrd C. Wilkinson,* Yazoo City, " 1856 

Rev. Francis L. Hawks.* D. D., ... .Hollj Springs, resigned in 1845 

Hon. Alex. H. Pegues,* Oxford, " i860 

Hon. Wm. Y. Gholson,* " 1854 

Hon. Alexander M. Clayton, Marshall County, .. . " 1870 

Hon. Jacob Thompson, Oxford, " 1864 

Pryor Lee, Esq., Jackson, " 1846 

Hon. James M. Howry, Oxford, " 1870 

John J. McCaughan, Esq.,* Mississippi City, .... " 1848 

Rev. John N. Waddel, D. D., Montrose, " 1848 

Of the original chartered Board of thirteen Trustees, only five 
still survive. Shortly after the act of incorporation, the Board 
proceeded to organize themselves into a regular body and commenced 

*Deceased. 



University of Mississippi. 



the discharge of their important duties. On a day appointed, the 
corner-stone of the principal echfice — the Lyceum — was laid with 
appropriate Masonic ceremonies, and an address was delivered by 
the Hon. John J. McCaughan. 

4. ELECTION OP^ FIRST FACULTY. 

In July 1848, the Board proceeded to the election of their first 
Faculty. Extensive notice of the time of this election having been 
given through the public prints, the Board, on assembling, found 
themselves in possession of the names and certificates of recom- 
mendation of about one hundred and eighty candidates for office in 
the Faculty, distriliuted about as follows : for the office of President, 
seventeen applicants sent in 'their names ; for the Professorship of 
Mathematics and Astronomy, there were sixty candidates ; thirty 
applied for Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, and for the chair of 
Ancient Languages, from sixty to seventy-five candidates laid their 
claims before the Board. In the course of this election, a discussion 
arose involving important principles of organization, and which had 
a material bearing upon the future of the University, and the 
influence of the discussion atiected the election in its results. An 
influential Trustee planted himself upon the untenable ground that 
'' no clergyman of any denomination should be elected to a Chair ;" 
and the gentleman, also, pi'otested earnestly against the introduction 
into the Curriculum, as a study, of " the Evidences of Christianity.'' 
In this latter position he was sustained by another Trustee, who 
tendered his resignation upon the fact that this branch of study was 
to be introduced. The ground of opposition to these two ideas was 
stated to be, that '' the Evidences could not be taught so as to avoid 
the inculcation of the tenets of some particular church, or some 
theological dogma peculiar to some Christian sect. The Institution 
being the property of the State, and not of any Sect or Party, the 
people of the State, of all descriptions, had a right to forbid any 
propagation of religion that would not be universally acceptable. It 
was manifestly improper, therefore, that such things should be 
permitted, and this would be inevitable should Ministers of the 



lo Historical Discourse 



Gospel be eligible to Professoi"ships, or should the Evidences of 
Christianity form a part of the Course of Study." I have in my pos- 
session, to this day, a letter from one of the wisest and most devoted 
members of the Board of Trustees wYiO participated in this election, 
which bears date July 19th, 1848, and states the fact that "one 
member of the Boai'd resigned because the Evidences of Christianity 
formed part of the Curriculum, and in his letter of resignation made 
a long and heavy assault upon religion ;" again, he adds, " another 
Trustee followed this letter with an assault upon the Ministry." 
Such was one of the many difficulties which then pressed upon the 
University ; beginning with its infancy, difficulties have kept pace 
with its entire career in some shape or other. 

The assaults referred to were not, to the extent designed, suc- 
cessful, it is true. They were influential enough to prevent the 
election to the Presidency of an eminent educator, who was voted 
for, and who was a Clergyman ; yet the debate, which was held in 
public, in the presence of many of the best citizens, members of the 
various churches of the country, created so strong a sensation of 
disapprobation, and so much indignation was aroused against the 
action of the Board, as to cause a reaction before the close of the 
election. The balloting continued from Monday to Friday, at inter- 
vals, and resulted as follows : 

George Frederick Holmes, LL. D., was elected President, 
and his duties of instruction were to embrace Metaphysics, Ethics, 
Political Economy, &c. At the time of his election, Mr. H. was a 
Professor in William and Mary College, Virginia ; an Englishman 
by birth. 

Albert Taylor Bledsoe, LL. D., was elected to the Chair 
of Mathematics and Astronomy. At the time of his election he was 
a citizen of Springfield, Illinois ; a native of Kentucky, and a gradu- 
ate of the West Point Military Academy. 

John Millington, M. D., was elected Professor of Natural 
Philosophy and Chemistry. Dr. M. was, at the time of his election, 
a Professor in William and Mary College, Virginia ; by birth an 
Englishman. 



University of Mississippi. 



John N. Waddel, D. D , was elected to fill the Chair of An- 
cient and Modern Languages. He was, at the time, a citizen of 
Jasper County, Mississippi ; and, by birth, he is a South Carolinian ; 
a graduate of the University of Georgia. 

These foin* gentlemen were selected from about one hundred and 
seventy-five or one hundred and eighty applicants, and one of the 
four was a clergyman, the strong opposition "to the contrary 
notwithstanding." 

Still, the public discussions in relation to the Evidences of Chris- 
tianity exerted an unfavorable influence, and many persons abroad, 
throughout this vState and the adjoining vStates, received the impres- 
sion that the University was a regularly organized infidel Institution. 
It may, perhaps, be attributed to this, as an immediate result, that 
only eighty mati'iculates were enrolled during the first session, and 
very little religious influence was exerted over the student-body- 

The University of Mississippi was opened in regular form on the 
6th of November, 1S4S. Inauguration Exercises were conducted in 
the Lyceum, in the Chemical Lecture Room, the only public Hall 
on the Campus at that time which was capacious enough to accom- 
modate an audience of any considerable size. A large and interested 
assembly were on that occasion addressed, on behalf of the Board of 
Trustees, by Hon. Jacob Thompson, then a Member of Congress 
from Mississippi, and a man of extensive influence and widely 
extended popularity. This was followed by an elaborate and chaste 
oration by the President, Geo. F. Holmes, who is now a Professor 
in the University of Virginia. 

Thus organized, the Faculty and Students entered at once upon 
the practical discharge of their respective duties, under many difii- 
culties and inconveniences. In a town of the interior ; remote from 
the great thoroughfares, and long before lines of Railroads were 
established to any great extent, no text-books were to be obtained 
at all, and great delay ensued before this want, and that of other 
essentials, could be supplied. In due time, however, the new ma- 
chinery was fairly put into operation. 



12 Historical Discourse 



5. FIRST STUDENT BODY. 

Fidelity to my office as Historian on this occasion, impels me to 
record that, in all probability, very rarely, if ever, was an Institution 
attended by a body of Students so disorderly and turbulent as the 
first Students of the University, in mass, proved to be. It is true, 
that among those eai'ly students there were some of the first young 
men of the country'; but in point of morals and intellectual advance- 
ment, the large body of the Students were idle, uncultivated, and 
ungovernable. The health of the child of the President requiring 
its return to Virginia, and the failing health of the President himself 
rendering it necessary, he returned to Virginia, and at the close of 
the first session the University was found without a President. 
Professor Bledsoe was requested by the Board to act as President, 
and aided by the two remaining Professors, the affairs of the Uni- 
versity were successfully managed by him, and the session closed 
with an exhibition of the Students, of Elocution and Composition. 
Previous to the close of the session, however, the office of Professor 
was by no means a sinecure — no child's play. 

The difficulties in the management of the Students, arose from 
the assembling together of so many untrained young men and boys, 
many of whom had never before attended such an Institution, and 
whose imaginations had been allured with the traditional belief that 
a College life was only a scene of fun and frolic. I may dismiss this 
subject with the remark that, in my opinion, nothing saved the infant 
University from vitter ruin, vmder God's blessing, but the sternest and 
most rigid exercise of discipline. 

The Institution, as has already been remarked, did not pass 
unscathed through the fiery ordeal. The confidence of the citizens 
of the State had received a shock so violent, in consequence of the 
disorders of the first session, coupled with the still lingering appre- 
hensions awakened at the outset in regard to the infidel tendencies of 
the University, that it was very slow in returning. 



University of Mississippi. 13 



6. STATISTICS. 

The Institution, however, began its career from the auspicious 
period of the accession to office of the second President, the eminent 
and beloved Longstreet. For, although the number in attendance 
during the second Session was small, yet in all the elements of true 
prosperity, in orderly deportment, diligent application, and mental 
jorogress on the part of the Students ; in fidelity and success on the 
part of the Faculty, the Institution was far in advance of its status 
during the first Session. The statistics of its patronage, year by 
year, enjoyed by the University during the Twenty Sessions of its 
actual operation, show that, with the usual slight variation in number 
common to all Institutions, which may be readily and satisfactorily 
accounted for, the confidence of the people in the University has 
been steadily growing. 

The number in attendance during the first Session was 80 ; 
during the second it was 76; during the third, 134; during the 
fourth, 144; during the fifth, 130; during the sixth, 158; during the 
seventh, 173 ; during the eighth, 22c; ; during the ninth, 264; during 
the tenth, 178; during the eleventh, 168; during the twelfth, 216; 
during the thirteenth, 196 ; during the fourteenth, 246 ; during the 
fifteenth, 231; during the sixteenth, 214; during the seventeenth, 
208 ; during the eighteenth, 120 ; during the nineteenth, 260 ; during 
the twentieth, 303. 

From the opening of the Institution, in 1848, to the present time, 
the number of Graduates in the Department of Science, Literature 
and the Arts, including the Graduates of the present year, is, in the 
aggregate, 416; in the Department of Law, 114; thus, combining 
both Departments, our Alumni number "^30. The entire number 
matriculated from the beginning, is 3,106, of whom 8^^ were not 
graduated, although pursuing the regular course of study, while 364 
have spent a longer or shorter time with us, taking a course of select 
studies, not designed for any degree. 



H 



Historical Discourse 



7. PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY. 
Forty-three diffei-ent individuals have served as Trustees since 
the origin of the University. Seventeen of this niuiiber have died, 
tw^enty-six survive. The names of the deceased Trustees are as 
follovs^s : 

I. TRUSTEES AND THEIR NECROLOGY. 

Hon. J. Alexander Ventress: a gentleman of scholarly 
attainments, educated in Germany. 

Hon. John Anthony Quitman: a native of New York; one 
of our noblest public men; a distinguished lavs^yer; a leader in the 
Democratic Party in the days of its prosperity; prominent in the 
Mexican War; and a devoted friend of the University. 

Hon. William L. Sharkey: w^hose name needs but to be 
mentioned in a Mississippi audience to secure the homage of admi- 
ration and respect for him as a profound Jurist and a large-hearted, 
generous nobleman of Nature. 

Hon. E. C. Wilkinson : eminent as a Lav^^yer, a Judge and a 
Publicist. 

Col. John J. McCaughan : who figures largely in the finan- 
cial history of 'Mississippi; a bold, pronounced infid-el, prominent in 
his opposition to the connection of religion in any form with the 
University. 

Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D, D.: a polished scholar, a refined 
gentleman, an eloquent orator; a distinguished Minister of the 
Episcopal Church; author of a History of North Carolina; a man 
of great elevation of character, and extraordinary culture. 

Hon. Alexander Hamilton Pegues: a native of South 
Carolina; prominent for many years in the councils of this State as 
a Senator; who served the University for sixteen years as Trustee 
with marked fidelity; a citizen of this County from a very early 
period, for whom the large mass of this audience retain profound 
respect for his patriotic devotion to tile true interests of his country, 
and who recently passed away from among us, universally lamented. 



University of Mississippi. 15 



Hon. Wm. Y. Giiolson: a distinguished citizen of Aberdeen, 
who removed to Cincinnati at an early period after his apj^ointnient 
as Trustee, and died there since the war. 

Hon. Thomas H. Williams: "an honest man" in the true 
sense of that phrase; who served the State as one of the early 
Senators in Congress; for many years publicly and actively engaged 
in the political affairs of Mississippi, having canvassed the State in 
the celebrated campaign in which the payment of the Union Bank 
bonds was the great political question, as bond-paying Democratic 
candidate for Governor; a member of the Board of Trustees for six 
years, and Secretary and Treasurer for three years; not excelled by 
any Trustee ever in ottice, in practical wisdom and enlightened zeal 
for the best interests of the University. 

Plon. Isaac N. Davis: a Georgian by birth and education; 
who for 3'ears occupied a prominent place in the political history of 
Mississippi, and whose heart and energies were very freely devoted 
to the promotion of the prosperity of the University. 

Hon. C. PiNCKNEY Smith: a distinguished Jurist; at the time 
of his death. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Judge Smith 
was a man of a very high order of intellect, and enjoyed the confi- 
dence of his large circle of friends, as a man of integrity and honor, 
to a degree far beyond what is usual. He died in 1S64. 

Hon. Henry Mounger: a Georgian by birth and education, 
who came to Mississippi at an early period, settled himself as an 
Attorney in the Eastern part of the State, rose to the bench, and, 
withal,' was a pious and prominent Minister of the Gospel of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church; died in 1850. 

Hon. John J. McRae : a native Mississippiaii, who occupied 
many positions of civic honor and trust in the State; elected Gov- 
ernor in 1853, serving two terms; appointed, also. United States 
Senator to fill an unexpired term ; and whose best services were 
always freely given to the University during the last eighteen years 
of his life, which closed in 1S6S. 



1 6 Historical Discourse 



Rev. Daniel P. Bestor, D. D.: an eminent educator; a 
distinguished Minister of the Baptist Church; a man of upright and 
spotless character; a kind-hearted, genial companion and friend; 
irreproachable in all the relations of life; devoted to the Univei'sity 
during the four years of his Trusteeship: he died in 1S69. 

Hon. Giles M. Hillyer : prominent in the journalism of the 
State, and in its political history; a Nev\^ Yorker by birth and edu- 
cation; a graduate of Columbia College in the city of New York; 
Counsellor at Law; who served as a Trustee for four years, dying 
in 1S70. 

Hon. William Yerger: one of the "noblest Romans of them 
all ; " an eloquent advocate ; a man of genius and profound legal 
learning; an incorruptible Judge; a Patriot and a Christian; whose 
death occurred so recently that the wovuid inflicted upon the public 
heart has not yet been cicatrized, and no lapse of time can ever oblit- 
ei'ate his name from the memory of the people whom he so honored 
by his great services, and of whom he was at once an attractive 
ornament, and strong pillar of support. 

Col. John Duncan: appointed Trustee in 1S69; a zealous and 
active member of the Board until his death, w^hich occurred in the 
city of Jackson in 1S73. 

A law was passed by the Legislature in 1S56, making the 
Governor of the State, ex -officio President of the Board of 
Trustees. It is, therefore, proper to state, in this connection, that 
there have been eleven Presidents of the Board since the beginning, 
of which number five w^ere Trustees by appointment, and six were 
Trustees by virtue only of their holding the office of Governor of 
the State. 

The list of ex-ofHcio Presidents is as follows: 

Hon. John J. McRae,* Hon. Wm. Mc Willie,* Hon. J. J. 
Pettus,* Hon. Charles Clark, Hon. Wm. L. Sharkey,* Hon. 

B. G. Humphreys, Plon. A. Ames, Hon. J. L. Alcorn, Hon. R. 

C. Powers. 



University of Mississippi. 



Of these, Governors McRae, Sharkey and Clark were Trustees 
independentlv of their holding^ the office of Governor; Messrs. 
Tvfc Willie, Pettns, ITuniphrevs, Ames, Alcorn and Powers held 
ofhce in the Board in rij^ht of their official position of Governor. 

Four of the Prcsidinu- officers are deceased; two of them have 
alreadv heen noticed, viz: Messrs. McRae and Sharkev; the 
remaininj^- two. Governors McWillie and Pettus, served the Uni\'er- 
sity with fidelitv and efficiencv, and lioth died after the late war. 

The foreuoiuLj sketches, meaj^^'re as the\' are in information, 
comprise all that can he stated in an address of this character. To 
have an extended bioj^^raphical notice of all the members of the 
Board of Trustees, prepared and preserved now, while the means of 
accurate information are accessible, is a matter of deep interest to 
the ITniversitv. It is to be liopcd that such a labor of lo\emay vet 
be performed, which mav he read at leisure, bv all the friends of the 
Institution. The i^reat leng'th to which an Address containino; such 
sketches would necessarih l^e extended, jirecludes such a trial of the 
]:)atience of an\ audience. 

II. lACUI.riKS AXO TIIKIU X KC HOI.OC V. 

I proceed to sctme historical statements with regard to the Fac- 
ulties that ha\e been in char<^e of the various Departments of the 
University snice the 6th of November, 1848, with notices of all 
incumbents oi' the ^ arious Chairs. Four presiding officers, under 
the title, first of President, second of Chancellor, have administered 
the affairs of the Universits diuMng the (.Quarter Centurv of its 
existence, viz : 

Geoi{(;e Fkedkiuck Holmes, LL. I).: elected in July, 1S4S, 
and who \ acated the office after one vear's incumbenc\'. 

.\i(,isTis Baldwin Lox(;sikee'J', LL. D., D. I).: elected in 
Julv, 1849, and who resigned in 1856, ha\ing held the office for a 
term of se^ en \ears. 

Fredekick Augustus Porter Barnard, LL. D., D. D.: 
elected "President" in August, iS^6; served under that title until 
3 



1 8 Historical Discourse: 



1S59, when the title of " Chancellor " was substituted for it, and 
Dr. B. resigned the ofiice in the year 1861, having sei'ved a term of 
five years. 

John Newton Waddel, D. D., LL. D.: chosen to the office 
of Chancellor on the 31st of July, 1865, and consecjuently eight 
3'ears of his administration have just been brought to a close. 

Of the four who have presided over the Institution since its 
organization, three survive; one has closed his earthly career, full 
of years aiid honors. 

It is impossible, in any record of the past of this University, to 
dismiss this revered and honored name with a mere statement of his 
connection with it, and a complimentary notice of his administration. 
Personal and official intimacy with him alike forbid such a course; 
and peculiar relations of affection and family friendship between us, 
revolt from any common-place notice of such a man. I must, 
thei-efore, ask your indulgence while I attempt some more extended 
notice of 

Rev. Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, LL. D., D. D. 

The more familiar title — that by which he was best known 
among his acquaintances and his oldest friends — was "Judge Long- 
street." He was a Georgian. His naine was a familiar household 
word in my native home as far back as my early youth. He was a 
pupil of my father's celebrated " Willington Academy," in South 
CaroHna, which he himself has immortalized in the chapter of the 
" Georgia Scenes " headed " The Debating Society." There he 
was fitted for Yale College, where, in the year 1S13, he graduated 
in a class of seventy. Subsequently, he took his course in Law at 
Litchfield, Conn., at the celebrated school of Tapping Reeve and 
James Gould, under whose instruction so many distinguished men of 
the South pursued their earl}^ legal studies. Having entered upon 
the career of an Attorney at Law in his native State, with prospects 
unsually bright, he soon rose to the highest rank, and stood among 
the foremost of a profession in which his compeers were such men 
as Berrien, Cobb, Dawson, and many others of abilities equally 



University of Mississippi. 



19 



splendid. He rapidh' aehiexed sueh fame, and won for himself such 
reputation as a finished and eloquent orator, that he could always 
command as large an audience as any man in the State, and, perhaps, 
larger than could anv other man. 

LTnder the powerful influence of Gtxrs Holy vSpirit, when at the 
very hight of his fame and popularity, he abandoned the profession 
of Law and the pursuit of politi<-s, and yielding to the chastening 
hand of his Heavenly Father, in a deep and sore affliction — the loss 
of an only son — he accepted, with a humble and devout spirit, what 
he believed the call of God to the Holy Ministry. While engaged 
in this exalted service, he was called by his church to the Presidency 
of Emory College, at Oxford, (ieorgia, where, \\'ithout ceasing at 
all the functions of a Gospel Minister, he added to them the kindred 
duties of a Preceptor of Youth, and occupied this position for 
thirteen \'ears with credit, honor and usefulness. 

Called again to preside o\er the Centenary College, in Louisiana, 
he remained there only five months, when, finding the field one 
wholly unsuited to his views, he resigned and returned to Georgifi. 
Harilh- had he reached his nati^•e State when he receiyed the intelli- 
gence, from otticial and priyate sources at once, that he had been 
elected unanimoush to the Presidency of the University of Missis- 
sippi — not having been a candidate for the office. Here his career 
was eminenth successful. Entering upon the duties of his office in 
September, 1849, for seven years he ga^■e his best services to the 
Institution, and in the unparalleled prosperity of the LTniyersity 
reaped the truest, richest, and most gratifying reward for all his 
imwearying and faithful toils. 

On his entrance u])on the duties of his office, he was met by the 
two difficulties to which allusion has already been made, viz: First, 
The bad repute of the Uniyersity for order and discipline, and, 
Second, The reputation which was unjustly given to the Listitution, 
that its tendencies were towards infidelity. The result of the 
Second Session of the Ihiiversity, (the first of the new administra- 
tion,) was hardly to lie considered a success in all respects, there 
being in attendance during the whole year only seventy-six students, 



20 Historical Discourse : 



The people of the State, however, soon discovered that there was 
at the hehii a Master Spirit, and, year by year, the patronage 
steadily increased until the number two hundred and sixty-four was 
reached. Although this number was attained during the session 
AFTER his resignation, I have always maintained that it was due to 
the wise administration of President Longstreet, which had gained 
for the University the confidence of the people of the State, and the 
impulse thus imparted to the Institution continued to operate after 
he had left it. The resignation of this pure-minded, upright, and 
able College Executive, took effect in July, 1856, and I may take 
occasion, at this point of his record, to present a double estimate of 
him as he appears to me as a public servant, and as he was known 
to me in the sacred retirement of private life. 

(i.) As A Public Servant. 
His character ^vas adorned not merely with a morality current 
with the vs'Oidd, but with the enduring vet chastened lustre of 
Christian purity. He preserved his dignity and self respect, e^'en 
when giving full flow to his excellent humor. He was vigilant, 
without being ofFcnsi\e ; he succeeded in impressing students with 
the belief that he was solicitous onlv for their highest interest. He 
was eminently self-possessed, keeping ever full command of himself. 
He governed without any ostentatious display of the machinerv of 
government. He possessed in a remarkable degree, the faculty of 
swaying and controlling a student - body during exciting scenes. 
Thus much as to his official traits. No less estimable and attractive 
were his characteristics 

(2.) Ix Private Life. 
Genial and cordial in his temperament, he was possessed of a 
deep and subtle \ien of rich humor, which was irresistible in its 
cheerful and even mirthful influence. In his heart there was no 
inalice or bitterness. His wit partook not in the slightest degree of 
sarcasm. He was charitable in his judgments, liberal in his view's, 
and public spirited in his relations to all around him. His opinions 
in religion and politics were none the less decided, for all his tender- 
ness to the creeds of others. There was no dogmatism about him. 



University of Mississippi. 



nor any timidity in expressini^ his views. As a preacher, he was 
solemn, earnest, and instructive. As a writer, his stvle was chaste 
and beautiful. As a man, then, '•'■take him all in all," his character 
will bear the closest scrutin\', both in his public and in his private 
life. He was a kind husliand, an affectionate father, a humane master, 
a considerate neighbor, a genial companion, an affable teacher, a 
wise counsellor, a man of faith and trust in God, enjoving to a 
degree that was remarkable, the assurance of his acceptance with 
his Heavenly Fathei-. When, on the 9th of Jul\, 1S70, he closed 
his long and useful life of seventy-nine \ears, nine months and 
eighteen days, he died in faith, and left as a legacv to his descendants 
a spotless reputation, and the example of a transcendentlv noble life. 

Vou will indulge me, 1 know, while I brieri^• sketch the charac- 
teristics of another of mv revered and beloved colleagues, a member 

of the first Facultv, who has also passed awav. T refer to 

I 
joiix Mii,t.i\'(;t()n, M. D. 

An Englishman by birth and education, he had alreatl\- reached 
the advanced age of three-score years and ten at the time of his en- 
trance upon his office of Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chem- 
istr\ , in the l^nixersitv of Mississippi. Reared in London, he was 
the associate and pupil of I'arraday. and was intimate with man\- of 
the distinguished savants of that period, being a member of the 
Roval Society. He was profoundly versed in the sciences of Math- 
ematics, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, and an adept in Civil 
Engineering. He published a wcnk on Mechanics, and one on 
Civil Engineering. 

Dr. Millington w;is a child of Nature, full of ''the milk of human 
kindness;" guileless; a stranger to malice or envv. His character 
and his nature were marked by the utmost simplicity and honestv. 
Conscious of no malice, or frauil, or deceit in himself, he suspected 
none in others. Faithful and honest himself in the discharge of 
dut\', antl in the fulfillment of his personal and relative obligations, 
he never thought of charging others with any want of these quali- 
ties, until, as it occasionally occurred in his dealings with designing 



32 Historical Discourse 



men, he fell a \'ictiin to the unscrupulous and unprincipled. Even 
then, he was of ■ a forgiving disposition, full of the charity that 
" covereth a multitude of sins." He took it for granted that men 
were what they professed to be. 

He was wholly devoid of any disciplinary ability, and yet such 
was the universal love and respect with which he inspired the classes 
under his instruction, that he had no difficulty in controlling them 
by his influence alone. A member of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, he was devout without bigotry, and devoted to his own 
church without ostracising others. 

. He remained connected with the University during the first five 
years of its existence, when he resigned to take the Chair of Chem- 
istrv and Toxicology in the Memphis Medical College. Here he 
resided until the great War of Sections began. He had possessed 
himself of a most beautiful and romantic home in the quiet little 
village of LaGrange, Tennessee — fit retreat for a sage in the decline 
of life, and he fondlv hoped to close here the evening of a long and 
laborious life in peace. But he was doomed to a sad disapiDointment 
of this cherished hope. 

LaGrange became one of the points of permanent occupancy of 
the army of the LTnited States, and although he complied with all 
the recpiirements of the Government, and availed hiinself of all 
legal means for protection for himself and family and property, 
which were offered to him by the authorities of the United States, 
yet it availed him nothing. He was robbed ; his lovely home was 
despoiled by the merciless ravages of ^var, and to avoid these 
intolerable evils he removed to Philadelphia. There he resided 
until the close of the war, and there he died in peace; and ^vhen 
he departed this life, one of the kindest, gentlest and truest hearts 
that ever warmed human bosom, ceased to throb. 

Since the organization of the University, fifty -two diHerent 
individuals have filled positions in the Faculty. Of these eight, 
inclusive of the two just sketched, have died, and in regard to the 
remaining six, little beyond ci mere mention can be made, 



University of Mississippi. 



23 



Nathaniel Macon Chawkokd, D, D.: an eminent and 
learned Minister of the Gospel of the Baptist Chin-ch, and a son of 
the celebrated VVm. II. Crawford of Geor^-ia, was Professor of 
Ethics and Metaphysics here for onlv' one year, lie had presided, 
with distinji^uished ability, over two diflerent Institutions of Learning-, 
\iz : Mercer Uhiversitv, in Georgia, and Georgetown College. Ken- 
tuck^■. He resigned in i8^y, and died in 18^3. 

William F. Stkakns, LL. D.: was elected Professoi- of the 
Law wSchool in 1864, resigned in 1S61, renioxed Noi'th, and, since 
the war, terminated his existence b\' his own hand. 

Hon. J. F. TuorrKiJ, was elected Colleague Professor of Law 
in 1S60, resigned in 1861, sin'\i\e(l the war, and died a few \ears 
since in Holly Springs, greatly esteemed b\' his large circle of friends. 

William Alexander Eakix, M. D., graduated in 1854 with 
the highest honors of this Institution, was made Tutor in (Jreek in 
18=56, resigned in 18159, and died in 1861 at LaGrange, Tenn. 

Robert Marmai>iike Kimrroiujii, R. v\., graduated in 1855 
with distinction, in a class of young men of extraordinar\- talent and 
attainments; was appointed Tutor in 18^6, resigned in i8^y, and 
I died at an early age ot consumption. 

Daniel B. Carr, B. A., graduated in 18^7 with fine reputa- 
I 
; tion; was soon after appointed Tutor, resigned in 1861, and, ha\'mg 

entered the JSouthern Army at the beginning of the war, fell in 

battle in one of the engagements that occurred in Missouri. 

It is part of the History of the L'niyersit\' that I brieflv mention 
the names and number of those who ha\e filled the \arious Chairs 
of Instruction in its Taculties from the beginning. There haye been 
fifty-two indiyidual Professors and Tutors in office since the organi- 
zation, exclusiye of the four executi\es, as follows: 

One Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, Dr. John 
Millington; two of Mathematics and Astronomv, Drs. Bledsoe and 
Barnard; one of the Ancient Languages, Jno. N. Waddel, D. D.; 
three of the Greek Language and Literature, [no. X. \\"addel, D. 



34 Historical Discourse 



D,, Henry Whitehorn, M. A., and J. J. Wheat, D. D.; six of the 
Modern Languages, Adolph Sadkiski, W. A. Strozzi, VV. G. Rich- 
ardson, M. A., D. M. Scales, W. vS. Wyman, M. A., and F. A, 
Juny, D. D.; two of Latin and Modern Languages combined, W. 
G. Richardson, M. A., and Alexander J, Qiiinche, M. A,; one of 
Agriculture and Geology, Louis Llarper, LL. D.; tvs'^o of Physics, 
Astronomy and Civil Engineering, Gen. Alexander P. Stewart, 
and F. A. Shoup, M. A.; one of Applied Mathematics, F. A. Shoup, 
M. A,; one of Analytical Ph3^sics and Astronomy, Landon C. Gar- 
land, LL. D.; two of Pure Mathematics, Jordan M. Phipps, M. A., 
and C. W. Sears, M. A.; three of Chemistry, &c., J. C. Keene}-, 
M. A., E. C. Boynton, M. A., and Eugene W. Hilgard, Ph. D.; 
one of Natural History and Geology, George Little, Ph. D.; three 
of Metaphysics and Ethics, Nathaniel M. Crawford, D. D., George 
W. Carter, D. D., and L. Q, C. Lamar, LL. D. ; three of English 
Literature, Wm. D. Moore, M. A., S. G. Burney, D. D., and Jno. 
L. Johnson, M. A.; seven of Governmental Science and Law, Wm. 
F. Stearns, LL. D., Hon. John F. Trotter, Hon. H. F. Simrall, 
Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, LL. D., Hon. J. A. P. Campbell, Henry 
Craft, Esq., and T.J. Walton, LL. B.; two of Metaphysics, Logic, 
&c., F. A. Shoup and J. A. Lyon, D. D.; one of Metaphysics, 
Logic, and Provisional Professor of Political Economy and Plistory, 
J. A. Lyon, D. D.; one of Natural Histoiy and Geology, George 
Little, Ph. D.; one Provisional Professor of Botany and Zoology, 
George Little, Ph. D.; one Professor of Agricultural Chemistry, 
&c., Eugene W. Hilgard, Ph. D.; one of the Latin Language and 
Literature, A. J. Qiiinche, M. A. ; eight adjunct Professors, viz : three 
of Mathematics, L. Q. C. Lamar, LL. D.^Jordan M. Phipps, M. A., 
and Robt. J. Guthrie, B. A.; one of English Literature, John W. 
Shields, B. A.; one of Physics, Robert B. Fulton, B. A.; one of 
Chemistrv, John B. Adger, Jr.; one of Practical Agriculture, M. W. 
Phillips, M. D.; and one of Greek, History, &c., Albert Hall Whit- 
field, M. A. Fifteen have filled the office of Tutor, viz: Geo. F. 
Stainback of Ancient Languages; W. A. Eakin of Greek; Charles 
H. Lee of Latin; R. M. Kimbrough of Mathematics; Wm. R. 



University of Mississippi. 25 



Bark.sdale of English Literature, tvrc,; Daniel B. Carr of Mathe- 
matics; W. T. J. Sullivan of Ens^lish; Burton N. Harrison of 
Physics; Robert Hills Louo-hridj^e of Chemistry; Edward Mays 
of English; Robert J. Guthrie of Mathematics, &c.; John W. 
Shields, of Latin and English; Albert H. Whitfield, of Greek and 
History; and John N. Davidson, of Languages. 

8. FINANCIAL HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

1 premise by saying, that my authorities on this subject are 
found in the journals of Congix'ss of 18 19; in Hutchinson's Missis- 
sippi Code, from 1798 to 1S48; and in a message of Hon. John. J. 
McRae, Go\ ernor of Mississippi, addressed to the Legislature on 
the 6th of P\^bruary, 1856. From these sources I learn, as already 
stated on a preceding page of this discourse, that, in accordance with 
an act of Congress, passed on the 20th of February, 1819, a town- 
shi]> of land was granted to the State for the purpose of establishing 
a Seminary of Learning; that the right should be vested in the 
Legislature, in trusty for this purpose; that the Legislature accepted 
the trust; that after the selection of the lands, which was judiciously 
made, the State pursued the policy of leasing them until March, 
1833, at which time an act of the Legislature was passed, providing 
for the sale of the thirty -six sections; that the sale was made in 
1S33, on one, two, and three years' time, and the notes were made 
payable on November ist, 1S34, 183^ and 1S36, respectively. The 
next legislation in regard to this fund, which is of importance, is 
that recorded in the eleventh section of '■'•an Act for the Collection 
and Investment of the Seminary Fund,*" whereby it is made the 
"duty of the vState Treasurer to credit the University Fund with 
'•' interest at the rate of five per cent, per annum, upon all moneys 
"heretofore paid into the Treasury, from the time when so paid to 
"the passage of the act; and thereafter, to credit said fund with 
" interest at the rate of eight per cent, per annum, upon all moneys 
"due from the vState to said Fund." 

Conscious as I am of the fact that I am approaching a subject 
on which there has been much discussion and no little feeling on the 
4 



26 Historical Discourse : 



part of many, I remark that I design no offence, but shall confine 
myself to a statement of facts that must be accepted as historically 
true, and to certain legitimate inferences from these facts. 

After the sale of these lands, and during the crisis consequent 
upon the wild and ruinous financial career of this State, very nearly 
all of the proceeds of those sales were lost; the remnant saved from 
the ^vreck amounting to less than $200,000. 

I next quote from Governor McRae's Message in 1856, the 
following: "By applying the rule laid down in this law to the 
"ascertainment of the condition of the fund on the ist of Januarv, 
" 1856, it is discovered that the sum due from the State to the Uni- 
" versify Fund was, at that time, $1,077,790.07." 

The Governor then proceeds to deduct the appi-opriations made, 
from time to time, by the Legislature, for the establishment and 
support of the University, computing interest upon those advances 
by the same rule as previously upon the fund itself. The amount of 
these appropriations, with interest added, computed as above, is 
$203,465.58, which, deducted from $1,077,790.07, leaves, as the 
actual sum due se\'enteen years ago, $874,324.49. 

This calculation, I very well i-emember, was made bv mv imme- 
diate pi-edecessor. Dr. Barnard, at that time Professor of Mathe- 
matics, whose skill in such calculations no one ever doubted. This 
state of the facts of the case was made known to the Legislature; 
but that bodv persistently refused to acknowledge the indebtedness 
of the State to the University to that amount. The utmost that 
could be obtained from the Legislature was the recognition of the 
sum of less than $200,000, referred to above, on which the State had 
been paying interest, amounting to about $11,500 per annum. 

I quote, again, from a writer in 1856, who says: "To the honor 
"of the Board of Trustees then in ofKce, they caused that a bill 
" should be prepared and introduced into the Senate, acknowledging 
"this amount of $874,324.49, as due to the University from the State, 
"when forthwith, opposition of such a cliaracter \vas manifested, as 
"to induce its friends to accept a poor substitute, and to withdraw, 
"temporarily, the orignal. The substitute passed the Senate no one 



"dissenting-; hut when it reached the House, it encountered a tierce, 
"bitter, and ahiiost niah'gnant opposition. After a long- and archious 
, "struggle, liowever, it passed that body by a majority of two, and 
I "received the signature of the Governor. The amount thus appro- 
"priated was $30,000 annually, and was accepted by the Trustees, 
■ "very properly, under protest. The Lecrislature considered this an 
I "appropriation, not acknowledg-ing the obligation to pay either 
I "principal or interest on the debt claimed bv the Trustees. The 
[ "Board, on their part, did not ask for an appropriation; the\ onh' 
; "demanded the payment of a just and lawful debt," 

I I chronicle, as tlic next fact of historical interest on this subject, 

; that since the war, when the University was in great need, another 
j eflbrt was made by the Board of Trustees to obtain an acknowl- 
! cdgement of the State's indebtedness to the Tnixersity, which 
resulted in a similar refusal to recognize it, and a sinnlar appropria- 
tion of $20,000 per amium. I have since presented to the Governor 
a calculation, made by my esteemed and distinguished colleague. Dr. 
Garland, at my request, which makes the indebtedness of the vState 
to the Uni\ ersity over One Million and a Half of Dollars, after 
deducting all appropriations. 

The latest leg-islation had upon the subject of the sui)port of the 
University, is that which apjjrojjriated " $:^o,ooo in cash,'' annually 
for ten years, and, in the body of the act itself, it is carefully stated 
that this is "in lieu of the Amuial Appropriation made bv Law for 
the support of the l^iiversity." The question has been raised 
whether this includes the $11,500 annual interest on the acknowl- 
edged (le])t, or whether it refers only to the $20,000. The latter is, 
undoubtedly, the true and just construction to be placed upon this 
clause of the Act. 

1 have thus placed on record so much of the linancial histor\' of 
the University as ]-)rings it down to the present period. Some 
further facts, cognate to this subject, need to be mentioned in order 
that the whole of the truth may be presented at once, and an intelli- 
gent view mav be taken of the matter. 



28 . Historical Discourse 



I. The appropriation of $50,000 per annum seemed at the time 
so ample for all purposes, and so munificent withal, that, at a meet- 
ing of the Board of Trustees subsequently, a resolution was passed 
abolishing the tuition fee, (only $50,) and throwing the Halls of the 
University open to the free access of all Mississippi students. 
Though done with the very best of intentions, the practical effect of 
this resolution oi the Board has worked somewhat dlsastrouslv to 
the finances of the University, as well as to its injury in other 
respects. 

. Previous to the war, the income of the University from three 
sources, would average $40,000 in cash, and very frequently in gold. 
Since the war, also, about the same amount has most generallv been 
realized. The three sources referred to are the following: 

1. Interest on acknowledged debt, - - $11,500 

2. Appropi'iation, (including Law Department,) 22,000 

3. Tuition, say ------ S,ooo 



$41,000 
Compare these statements with the facts now existing, and it 
will be found that, although our income is, nominally, $50,000, since 
it is paid in warrants, which are at a discount of twenty - five or 
thirty per cent., the University loses $12,500 to $15,000 annually. 
So that instead of $50,000, the annual appropriation nets the Uni- 
versity not more than $37,500, and often $35,000 — less by $4,000 
or $6,000 than it was before the appropriation was made. Obvi- 
ously, we have been seriously damaged by the abolition of the 
tuition fee. 

n. Another fact known to the immediate friends of the Uni- 
versity, but never pressed upon the attention of our Law Makers, is 
that, inasmuch as the sum of $1 1,500 has always been acknowledged 
as lawfullv due the University annually, being interest on the debt 
recognized b}' the State, a little over fovu" years' interest, which 
accrued during the war, remains still unpaid, amounting to $45,000. 

Two considerations have been offered against the recognition of 
the large indebtedness of the State, and the consequei^t obligation to 
pay the annual interest. 



University of Mississippi. 



1. The poverty of our people. Admit the fact; we are poor; 
but why not acknowledge the debt? If we owe any part of it, we 
owe it all; if it be a just debt, we have no rio-ht to repudiate one 
dollar of it. We ma\' as well confess the fact, and then ajj^ree upon 
the payment of such a rate per cent, of interest as may seem reason- 
able; at four per cent, the income from the acciniiuhitcd indebtedness 
would yield the sum of $65,000 or $70,000. 

2. Some may tell us that "if any man expects the vState to pay 
this debt he is extremely verdant. It is not fashionable in these 
days of fast proj^ress to do such obsolete things. Whoexer does so, 
demonstrates his utter destitution of business capacity ; he is not a 
financial Napoleon; he will not get on in life, b\- cleaxing to tlie 
exploded theories of what is called honesty and justice. Moreoyer, 
if a member of the Legislature should be bold and rash enough to 
vote for such a measure, he \yould be guilt\' at once of political 
suicide; his constituents would neyer trouble him again with calls to 
public seryice, and he would haye perpetual furlough from the Halls 
of Legislation.''' 

There is, doubtless, "more truth than poetry'"' in this last idea. 
I venture the assertion that this is the grand fundamental obstacle to 
the honest settlement of the State's indebtedness to the Uniyersity 
Fund. But might does not make right, and although it may be said 
that "corporate bodies haye no consciences," yet I hold, with Dr. 
Wayland, to the old-fashioned doctrine that, "it is sutficient to know 
that every one of the corporators has a conscience, and is responsible 
to God for obedience to its dictates. Men may mystify before each 
other, and may stupetS' the monitor in their own bosoms, by throw- 
ing the blame of perfidy upon each other; but it is yet worth}- to Ix- 
remembered that they act in the presence of a Being, with whom 
'the night shineth as the day,' and that they must ajDpear before a 
tribunal where there will be '• no shufiling.' " 

One more, (and, in my opinion, not the least impoitant,) remark 
to be made on this subject, is that the Uniyersity was not endowed 
by the vState. It was endowed by Congress. The State is merely 
the Trustee of the Endowment Fund. She has never even paid 



30 Historical Discourse : 



the interest on the lost fund. Conseqviently, when it is said that this 
is one of the Schools of the State, " supported by taxation," let it be 
remembered that this is not true. Bear this in mind, for you may 
discover hereafter, that it is a historical fact upon which vou may 
g-ladlv fall back. 

9. PROGRESS AND RESULTS. 

The University of Mississippi has been a Chartered Institution 
for twenty - nine years, and has been in actual operation for nearly 
twenty -five years. It was organized on the 6th of November, 184S, 
and its exercises were suspended during the four years of the late war. 
It is impossible to estimate, in any statistical or tabular form, the 
results accomplished by the University during the period of its 
existence, since they are purely moral and intellectual. Still some 
approximate estimate may be reached. The number of different stu- 
dents who have attended its Halls for a longer or shorter period, may 
be supposed about 3,000. Of our 530 Alumni, 1 14 have received the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws — the diploma authorizing them to 
practice Law in any of the Courts of the State. The remaining 
Alumni bear the respective diplomas of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor 
of Science, and Civil Engineer. Of those who did not complete 
their covu'se, the large majorit'S' remained at the University long 
enough, and were sufficienth' diligent as students, to acquire an 
amount of valuable training such as ^vill qualify them for the 
active duties of Life. As large a proportion of our Alumni have 
rendered distinguished service to the State, in various Departments, 
as can be found, within the same limited pei'iod of time, among the 
Alumni of an}- other Institution. Dui-ing a space of only eighteen 
years have we been engaged in sending out graduates, and already 
the names of our Alumni are recorded among the active, useful 
Ministers of the Gospel, some of whom hold rank among the 
foremost of their respective churches; the Medical and Legal Pro- 
fessions are adorned by their names; many are Agriculturists; some 
are Engineers; se^'eral are filling Professorships; sixteen have held, 
and are now holding positions in the Faculty of our own University, 



University of Mississippi. 31 



showing- that t)nc important branch of" our operations has been, and 
is now still, to train our own Professors. We have furnished the 
country WMth man\- teachers, and we ho})e to continue to do so, unitl 
we succeed in creatins^ a revolution in the system of Preparatory 
Education throu.yhout the State. The Leg-islature of Mississippi 
has, for manv vears, numbered our graduates among the wisest and 
truest members of the body. So it is seen, from this running sketch^ 
that there is scarcelv a field of labor to vvhich you can extend your 
observation, in which von will not find more or less numerously and 
worthilv represented, the Alumni of this University. 

This, certainlv, is no ignoble rect)rd for an Institution only 
twenty -five years of age to have made; and so long as we can 
point the inquirer to such names as those of the brothers M. and 
Win. C. Pegues, in the honored employment of Agriculture; of 
Richardson, W^itherspoon, Sulli\an, Lambuth, Stainback, Green, 
Gill, Weller and Davidson in the Ministry; of Barksdale, Chalmers, 
Walton, the brothers Falconer, Phipps, Mellen, and Fant, in the 
Law; of Eakin", Calhoun, McSwine, and McRaven in Medicine; of 
Randolph, Falconer, Harper and Money in Journalism; of our own 
corps of teachers in this Institution, Guthrie, Fulton, Mayes, West, 
Shields, Carr, Loughbridge, Whitfield, Davidson, and of hundreds 
of others, whose names are ciiually worthy, In other departments; 
and, last of all, while we can point to Herring and Holloway, and 
jjoyd, Phipps, Arnold, Lea\ ell, McKie, Casseday and others in the 
State Legislature, it cannot be said that the University has been 
barren of noble results. 

Is it expecting too much then, that the support of the people of 
the State should be given to it; that the Legislature should sustain 
it bv an enlarged, broad, and liberal policy? The State, as Trustee 
of the I'niversitv Fund, has tlius far sustained it in part, and enabled 
it to accomplish these results; but surely it is small praise to say thus 
much. She cannot, with justice, claim to ha\e discharged her 
whole (lut\ to the Institution. 

lender the j^resent arrangement, howe\ er, \vherel)y only a 
portion ot the rightful dues of the University is received annually, 



32 Historical Discourse 



the various Boards of Trustees which have had the direction of 
affairs, have been enabled to enlarge the Faculty as the wants of the 
University demanded ; to erect additional buildings from time to 
time ; to build an Observatory, arranged upon a plan of Chancellor 
Barnard, for the reception of a magnificent Telescope, but which 
was never received on account of the interruption occasioned by the 
war; to purchase apparatus and collections, and to add to the 
appointments of the Institution, and thus to place it in some sort of 
condition to do its work as a School of the Higher Learning. After 
the appropriation was first made, of $20,000 annually, before the 
war, the condition of matters was \ery decidedly improved, and the 
results were far more satisfactory than they ever had been previously. 
This reform is due to the scientific skill, zeal, and judgment of 
Chancellor Barnard, more than to any other cause. No one, how- 
ever, who is in a situation to know, has ever said that the state of 
the finances has been entirely satisfactory. Certainly they are far 
from being in a desirable condition at present. 

10. COMPARATIVE VIEW OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 

To many, $^0,000 annually appropriated to the support of a 
Uni\'ersity, seems an enormous and extravagant sum; and it is 
thought, that in this day of extreme poverty, we should be slow to 
indulge oiu-selves in costly and unnecessary luxuries, such as Colle- 
o-iate Education is generally supposed to be. Few are aware of the 
;unount of mone^■ that is absolutely needed in order to carry on 
successfully a great Institution of Learning. Let us take a rapid 
view" of matters in this connection, in those Colleges and Universities 
which stand forward most prominent. 

Harvard Uni\'krsitv. — In one single year since the war, this 
Institution received $475,000. She lost, by the great Boston fire 
last winter, $300,000 in real estate, whose rents constituted a large 
part of her income; her entire loss has been nearly restored by 
private subscription. Her income from all sources, and for all pur- 
poses, amounts to nearly $300,000; her Faculty numbers nearly one 



University of Mississippi. 33 



hundred; her undergraduates to about eleven or twelve hundred; 
even her Freshman Class, it is reported, numbers about four hun- 
dred names. 

Yai.e College. — At this ancient seat ot" Learning, vsdiere 
they have seven or eight hundred students, they are successfully 
raising a fund to increase their endowment, which will amount to 
$500,000; they are to have a new Chapel costing $100,000; two 
large Dormitories of most splendid architecture, have been built 
since the war; and every appeal for additional fimds is promptly 
met by private liberality. 

Cornell Uni\ersity. — The income of this Institution from 
all sources is about $100,000; its endowment fund, not yet completed, 
will reach about Three Millions. 

The College of New Jersey, better knowit as Princeton 
College. — One Million of Dollars have been added to its funds 
within the past five years. 

The University of California. — The Legislature of this 
State, in the session of 1S71-73, appropriated to its University 
$300,000 merely for building purposes, and $72,000 annually for 
current expenses. 

The University of Michigan. — This noble Institution is 
constantly encouraged by the State Legislature in the prosecution of 
its great work, and having a princely income, extensive Libraries, 
splendid Cabinets in all departments of Science, ample Buildings, 
and large Faculties of men eminent in the various Schools of Sci- 
ence, Literature, and the Arts, in Law and Medicine, I do not 
wonder that they attract, annually, twelve hundred students, not a 
few of whom are from other vStates. These are results naturally 
consequent upon a wise and liberal expenditure of money by the 
State. Although she has plucked from our diadem one of our 
brightest jewels,* yet in this she is not to be censured, since she pos- 
sesses those attractions which will always command the abilities of 
the first and most accomplished Educators. 

* Prof. E, W. HlLCARD. 

5 



34 Historical Discourse 



From the foregoing facts, it is readily perceived how much is 
considered by these great Institutions, to be absohitely essential, in 
order that they may be enabled to furnish the proper form of educa- 
tion for the country and for the times. These Schools of Higher 
Learning, both public and private, both those established by the 
State, and those founded by private munificence, all, with united 
voice, declare that they cannot do effective work without large con- 
tributions of money. These very Institutions, rich and favored as 
they are, still cry out for more money; and veiy naturally, for they 
have been elevated just high enough to enable them to look abroad, 
over the outspread fields of human want, and human ignorance, and 
human effort, — those vast unoccupied tracts, which could be culti- 
vated, and where the blessings of a lofty culture would elevate and 
bless the world, if only additional aid were extended. Not a dollar 
of w^hat they have is misspent, but they need more, in order to 
do more. 

So do we need more — a great deal more than we have. If it 
be too much to hope that the debt due the University will be 
acknowledged, then, at least, ought our granted income of $50,000 
to be paid in cash, and not in depreciated State warrants. Could 
this be accomplished, then we could not only continue the University 
Instruction on its present scale, but, by close economy, every part of 
the external arrangements could be kept in fair working order, and 
in good repair. This ^vould be much; and it is more than we are 
now able to do. But is this all we need? Ought we not to enlarge^ 
and extend our facilities for the advancement of the various Depart- 
ments? This we must do, or stand still for the want of these 
advantages, while all other Institutions are constantly progres- 
sing, and, by their superior attractions, inducing our Mississippi 
students to abandon their own State Institution, seeking abroad what 
they cannot find at home. 

II. PRESENT CONDITION, AND SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

With all our disadvantages, we do not hesitate to say that we 
have here the nucleus of a srreat Institution of Learning. Three 



University of Mississippi. 



35 



years since it was organized anew, upon the plan of courses of 
study meeting every demand; the close College system having been 
abolished. This, it is but just to remark, had been resolved upon 
long before the change of the Board of Trustees; the former Board 
having taken action as far back as the year 1S69, ordering the mat- 
ter to be investigated, and a report to be made upon the subject. 
The adoption of this system, which is elective as to the course, but 
obligatory as to all studies of any course, at once tended to popu- 
larize the Institution. The free feature as to tuition, increased our 
numbers to some extent, and the Scholarship Law, though objection- 
able in many respects, doubtless induced some to come to us who 
would not otherwise have been able to bear the expense. 

The standard of vScholarship is fiir higher than ever before. It 
never was so difficult to enter the Freshman Class; it is next to 
impossible for a student from abroad to join our Sophomore Class; 
and our Junior and Senior Classes are, necessarily, made up solely of 
our own prepared students. When the question of graduation 
comes up for decision, it is the law here, that a student 
shall not be graduated if his entn^e record shall show a defi- 
ciency in a single department. He must have no mark below the 
grade of fifty, in a scale whose maximum is one hvmdred. We do 
not graduate all, even those who pass, with the same diploma. 
There are diplomas of the First Class, conferred only upon those 
whose entire four years' course has placed them above 90. The 
diploma of the Second Class is given onl}- to those whose average 
grade, for four years, has been found to be between 75 and 90. 
Students whose a^■erage is between 50 and 715, receive a diploma of 
the Third Class. Should any student fall below 50, as stated above, 
he cannot "fniduate. 



12. BUILDINGS, AND OTHER MATERIAL APPOINTMENTS. 

We have, located upon our Campus, and adjacent to it, twelve 
brick edifices, and one framed building, the property of the University. 
Eight of these are for the use of the Faculty, as residences ; three for 
Students' Dormitories; one Lyceum, containing Lecture Rooms, 



-26 Historical Discourse 



Library and Collections, besides the Chemical Laboratory; the Ob- 
servatory for Astronomical purposes, the Magnetic Observatory, and 
a brick work-shop. We have splendid Chemical, and Philosophical 
and Astronomical Apparatus; a Cabinet of Shells and Mineralogical 
specimens; collections of Fossils, Soils, and other Geological 
Apparatus; besides instruments to illustrate Mathematics and 
Engineering. 

Since the war, the income of the University has been barely 
sufficient to sustain the Institution. No building has be^n done of 
any consequence, and only about five hundred volumes have been 
added to the Library. No additional apparatus has been purchased. 
The Geological and Mineralogical Cabinets have been, to some 
extent enlarged. The invested resources of the University do not 
exceed $200,000, aside from the lost endowment fund, which 
accordino- to most approved calculations, must now amount to over 
One Million and a Half of Dollars. 

13. THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

In 1862, a bill was passed by Congress, granting to all the States 
an amount of public lands in the proportion of 30,000 acres for every 
representative, including the two Senators, in Congress, for the pur- 
pose of establishing in each State one or more "Colleges of Agri- 
culture and the Mechanic Arts." This gave to Mississippi 210,000 
acres. By an act of the Legislature of this State, this was divided 
between this University and Alcorn University, giving us two -fifths, 
and to the other Institution three - fifths of the number of acres. 
The land- scrip was sold at the rate of ninety cents per acre, and was 
invested by the Governor in State bonds, bearing interest at eight per 
cent, per annum. Our share being 84,000 acres, brought the sum of 
$75,600, which, being judiciously invested as above stated by the 
Governor, will yield a handsome interest to sustain this Department. 
But inasmuch as, by the very terms of the Congressional grant, no 
part of this fund can be used for building purposes, it became neces- 
sary that the Legislature should make some appropriation in order 



Untiversity of Mississippi. 37 



to put the Institution in a condition even to begin operations. This 
they failed to do, yet the energetic and enthusiastic vetei-an Agricul- 
turist, Dr. M. W. Phillips, Superintendent of the Farm, has fenced, 
planted, and cultivated a farm ; planted a fruit nursery ; and is 
planning largely, in spite of all the difficulties he has encountered. 
It is obviously the tluty, as well as the interest of the Legislature, to 
appropriate a sum of money as an outfit for the Institution, since the 
grant was accepted on the conditions specified, and will be an entire 
loss to the State otherwise. 

14. AN APPEAL., 

Fellow- Citizens : That was a truthfiil and noble declaration 
made by His Excellency, Gov. Powers, in his Annual Message to 
the Legislature, that " the educational interest is paramount to all 
others in the State." It is so; you may believe it. '4^oster this 
cause ; encourage it in its true sense, including the culture of the 
whole man, physical, moral and spiritual, and the State will be ben- 
efited infinitely more than by any merely material improvement. 
We call upon the men of all parties, and of all classes, to rally to 
the support of the University, generously casting aside all heart- 
burning and jealousies, recognizing here, at least, common ground 
of occupancy by all true patriotic Mississippians. 

I appeal to the Trustees and to the Legislators, to join in league 
for this noble object ; I appeal to the Press of the State to lay aside 
party animosity and rancor, and unite in the support of the Univer- 
sity ; to the students now enjoying the blessings of its elevating 
culture, to put forth every eftbrt to rear high the character and repu- 
tation of the University, as a moral Monumental Pile to the refine- 
ment, culture, and Christian Civilization of the State. And to you, 
oh! Alumni! — so many of whom are my beloved pupils — let me 
say, this is more your work than that of any single class besides. 
Do not abandon your Almi Mater ; let no circumstances of discour- 
agement drive you from her ! Stand by her ; shield her ; work for 
her ; speak for her ! Then, ultimately, great beyond conception 
shall be your reward, in the ever-growing and ever- widening power 
for good, in time and for eternity, of this beloved Institution. 



38 



Historical Discourse 



It cannot be that this great Commonwealth, with her grand 
resources of soil, climate, and variety of products ; her annually 
increasing population, and her wealth ; that intelligent regard to her 
true interest which characterizes her people, will ever rest quietly 
under the reproach, that she cared only for material prosperity, while 
rearing a race of ignorant and corrupt men to control her afiairs. 
Nor can she be content to behold her Sister States fostering their 
Institutions of Learning, while she devotes herself to no interest save 
those productive of material wealth. 

There are indications in certain quarters that, in this advocacy of 
the cause of University Education in this State, I am probably expo- 
sing myself to criticism of no friendly character. But indulge me 
in saying, that it has been a rule of my life to deliberate carefully 
upon a proposed course of action before making my decision. 
When, however, the position of duty shall have been assumed, there 
I endeavor to plant my feet as upon a rock, not to be moved by the 
tumult of a storm-shaken deep, dashing its wild waves against me. 
In the University of Mississippi I see, not a political machine, as its 
enemies charge, but a noble foundation, whereon, by your assistance, 
we may erect a grand Institution that shall be the great Educational 
Centre of the entire South-West. For this cause, so long as I shall 
be allowed to do so, I shall be content to labor, the sneering critic, 
and the silly scribbler " to the contrary, notwithstanding." 



15. CONCLUSIONS. 

This occasion awakens emotions and reflections of a mingled 
character : at once pleasing and solemn. We stand on an eminence 
in the tj-ack of time, from whose summit we may cast a look in both 
directions. We look back upon the over -past portion of our Uni- 
versity life, and we behold it all lying out plainly revealed, bathed in 
the bi'oad sunlight of reality, of experience, of historic truth. We 
have just gone over it in review. We have trodden its plains ; stem- 
med its floods of opposition ; climbed its rugged clifls of difficulty ; 
descended into its shadowy, cavernous depths of despondency, 



University of Mississippi. 39 

opened before us by its enemies. We have traveled together cheer- 
ily with our friends. We have steadfastly held on our way, and met 
our foes ; opposing to all the shafts of calumny and malice, the 
impenetrable and indestructible shield of incorruptible integrity and 
truth. 

And now, this day, in all the elements of true prosperity ; in our 
elevated standard of scholarship ; in the enlightened zeal and liber- 
ality of our Board of Trustees ; in the reputation of our Faculty for 
learning, skill, and high-toned morality ; in the manly tone of our 
student-body ; in the rising prominence, and prospective greatness of 
our Alumni ; all the fruits of our first Qtiarter-Century of labor, we 
stand on a most exalted and gratifying elevation. 

The University is known abroad as well as at home. She has a 
National reputation. Yale has Formed our acquaintance, and inter- 
changed civilities and visits. We have Harvard on our list of triends. 
Amherst knows of us, and has entertained us. Dartmouth, Colum- 
bia College, and Princeton, have heard of us, and have seen our 
representatives , and Michigan, the great Western giant, is our cor- 
respondent ; and Jefferson's child, the grand old University of 
Virginia, has often been exchanging with us the courtesies of the 
Republic of Letters ; she has been enjoying the services of one of 
our Alumni,* and she has given us, in turn, two of her own sons.f 
We are admitted as members of the Scientific Associations of the 
land, " free of the guild," and recognized everywhere as entitled to 
full standing with the noblest and the best of contemporaneous sister 
Institutions. " What hath God wrought" for us in the Qiiarter-Cen- 
tury ! '^Ebenezer" for the past; "Jehovah Jireh " for the future! 

Indulge me now, for a moment, as I turn from the backward 
glance, and send on a forward outlook to the future. " The past, at 
least, is secure :" what of the coming time? Who will be here in 
1898, to celebrate the next — the semi-centennial — the Jubilee of the 
University? Within the last twenty-five years, from the rolls of the 
various bodies of Trustees, Faculties, Alumni, and Students, the 



* Dr. T. D. WiTHERSPOON. t Professors Adger and Johnson. 



40 Historical Discourse. 



names of at least one hundred and fifty have been stricken out by 
death. In the next twenty-five years, how many, and who shall fall? 
I know not who shall be here to participate in the celebration of 
the next Anniversary. It will not be difficult to point out some, now 
present, who most surely will not be present then. One, I know. In 
all human probability, will not be here. / do not expect to engage 
in your next celebration. My work will be done ; my stewardship 
closed ; my account rendered. The large majority of my audience 
will have left these mortal shores. But I earnestly trust, I cannot 
but believe, that the Jubilee will be celebrated notwithstanding. I 
will cling to the hope that, on that occasion the University will num- 
ber her thousand attending students, instead of our three hundred. 
Nor will I admit the doubt, that by that time, the added history of 
the University will have raised her to an eminence, side by side with 
the loftiest and the best. That this " consummation so devoutly to 
be wished," rnay be realized, let us from this day begin the work, 
under fresh impulse, to be completed by our successors. 

For my part, this University has my heart's affections. She was 
my first love. By unforseen circumstances, I may be severed from 
her, — I know not, — I know not, — yet evermore shall her glory 
send a thrill of joy, and her woes a pang of grief, through my soul. 
One boon I ask. I may not stand upon the same lofty elevation 
whereon now stand my predecessors. Holmes and Barnard ; I may 
never reach the eminence of Longstreet, the great and the good ; but 
I would fain carve my humble name upon the pedestal of the Uni- 
versity Monument. When the touch of death shall lay me in the 
grave, then let me sweetly sleep beneath the shadow of her fame, 
amid these classic groves. Content shall I be to know, and to have 
it known, that, with such men, I labored for The Glory of the 
University of Mississippi. 



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